Contact: Joe Zepecki, jz@jzcomms.com, 202-445-1517
Wisconsin  — On Friday, Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes joined For Our Future-Wisconsin, Black Leaders Organizing Communities (BLOC), the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals, SEIU, AFSCME, and Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference heralding the passage of the American Rescue Plan. 

The American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law by President Biden last week, includes funding to scale up vaccine distribution, protect families and frontline workers, support state & local government and boost struggling local businesses. It will also lower premiums for Wisconsinites purchasing coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace and expand access to financial assistance for more middle-class families. 

Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes highlighted the importance of this bill, particularly for the working people of Wisconsin who have suffered the most through this pandemic.

“I can immediately tell you that this means a lot for Wisconsin. It means a lot for our residents, most importantly it means so much for our working people. People who have been dealt a bad hand over the course of this pandemic, through no fault of their own. So it is absolutely exciting to see the historic American Rescue Plan being signed into law.”

The executive director of Black Leaders Organizing Communities, Angela Lang addressed how the American Rescue Plan not only deals with the immediate needs of the pandemic but also creates a path for solving issues of inequity moving forward. 

“This historic piece of legislation is a first step. Not only will it get us through this pandemic but it will really set us up to have a more just and equitable society moving forwards.”

You can watch the event here, and view additional coverage below:

  • WISC (CBS): Barnes joins community leaders to speak on American Rescue Plan
  • WMSN (FOX): Barnes: Relief Package ‘Means A Lot’ For WI
  • WLAX (FOX): LT. Governor Mandela Barnes Discusses COVID Relief
  • WEAU (NBC): LT. Governor Mandela Barnes Discusses COVID Relief
  • WFRV (CBS): Local Leaders On The American Rescue Plan
  • WFRV (CBS): How The Stimulus Helps Wisconsinites
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